Optimal wall thickness

Selecting the appropriate wall thickness is essential for any building project. It has an impact on the building’s overall comfort, energy efficiency, and structural integrity. Making well-informed decisions that save money and effort can be facilitated by understanding the ideal wall thickness.

The parameters that establish the appropriate wall thickness for various building types will be discussed in this article. We’ll examine the advantages of doing it correctly as well as any potential issues that might result from walls that are either too thick or too thin.

Knowing wall thickness is essential whether you’re planning a commercial project, remodeling an existing house, or building a new one. Now let’s explore the fundamentals of selecting the ideal wall thickness for your requirements.

Achieving the ideal wall thickness for your house is essential for striking a balance between cost-effectiveness, insulation, and structural strength. Although thicker walls improve comfort and energy efficiency by improving insulation and soundproofing, they also raise building costs and take up more interior space. Conversely, while thinner walls may result in cost and space savings, they may also lessen energy efficiency and durability. Achieving the ideal balance guarantees a robust, cozy, and cost-effective home.

Features of the material

Brick is one of the most technologically advanced building materials. Due to its excellent operational and technical qualities, it has long been used by people for the construction of both small one-story buildings and in the construction of massive multi-story structures. Building bricks can successfully withstand loads that are thousands of times greater than their own weight, and if all masonry technologies are followed, the load-bearing walls of a brick house can last for dozens or even hundreds of years without problems. Meanwhile, service life depends on such technical indicators of the material as strength coefficient and frost resistance. The frost resistance indicator of a material gives an idea of ​​the ability of a load-bearing brick wall to withstand freeze/thaw cycles as the seasons change. The frost resistance coefficient directly affects the terms of “failure-free” operation and depends on the density and porosity of the material. The higher the moisture absorption coefficient, the lower the resistance of brick walls to seasonal temperature changes. According to GOST requirements, the minimum cycle life of building materials should not be lower than 20 – 25 seasons. The strength coefficient is calculated depending on what load the material can withstand without destruction or deformation. Marking is done in increments of 25-50 units and can range from M-75 to M-200. Each of these varieties has its own area of ​​use.

The thickness of the brickwork should increase with the number of floors or expected load of the floors in the building. If brick grades M-75 and M-100 are fine for low-rise private buildings, then regardless of the masonry thickness, you should use a brick with a strength grade of at least M-150 for the construction of high-rise buildings, plinths, and other structures with high operational loads.

Among the disadvantages of brickwork, high hygroscopicity should be noted. Burnt clay, which serves as the main raw material for this building material, can easily absorb water from the atmosphere and retain water inside it. The dampness contained in micropores and cracks gradually leads to the destruction of the brick and loss of its strength qualities. In this regard, the external masonry should, if possible, be protected from the effects of precipitation by waterproofing or moisture-repellent primers. Another disadvantage of brick as a material is its high thermal conductivity. Thanks to this, the brick itself is an excellent “cold bridge”, facilitating the penetration of frost from outside into the building. Previously, this negative property was combated by increasing the thickness of the load-bearing brick wall. In Soviet times, given the relative cheapness of bricks and the lack of effective insulation materials, this was the easiest way out of the situation. A few decades ago, the thickness of the walls of a brick house in the central regions of the country could be 64 cm, and in the northern regions – 1 m or more. However, now that there is a huge selection of building thermal insulation on the construction market, such a thickness of a brick wall becomes an unnecessary waste.

Any type of insulation appropriate for these uses can be used to address any issues related to a building’s inadequate thermal insulation.

Factors for calculating wall thickness

• Load-bearing indicators.
• Thermal insulation performance.

The width of the brick walls determines the load-bearing capacity in the first scenario. While internal partitions can be arranged "in brick" or "in half a brick," meaning that they are either 12 or 25 centimeters wide, this is pertinent to load-bearing supporting structures. The internal walls in this instance are thick enough to form a sturdy partition. It can sustain hanging structures like door frames, shelves, cabinets, and other mechanical loads.

Unlike the partition wall, the outer brick wall’s thickness should be sufficient to support heavier loads. The width of the building determines the overall strength because the load-bearing walls of the house support the weight of the roof, the upper floors, and the interfloor ceilings.

The material’s qualities as a thermal insulator also have a significant impact on the thickness of the load-bearing walls. The minimum thickness of the wall structure should increase with the building material’s thermal conductivity.

Types of brickwork

There are various types of brickwork used in modern construction, with varying widths. Building walls typically have a thickness of one to two bricks or more. In this instance, the brick’s 25 cm length is referred to as its "brick." According to GOST regulations, a "single" brick’s standard size is as follows:

• Length – 25 cm (brick laying).
• Width – 12 cm. (half-brick masonry)
• Height – 6.5 cm.

The most effective thickness for external walls in low- and mid-rise construction, from an economic feasibility perspective, is between 38 and 51 cm, or two or one and a half bricks thick. This kind of masonry can easily support the weight of the roof and two or three stories above. Meanwhile, the building’s mass stays relatively small, negating the need for the developer to reinforce the house’s foundation further. Such masonry also has the benefit of allowing you to make substantial savings on building materials.

In contemporary construction, walls thicker than two bricks are essentially nonexistent. This is because, in the first place, their load-bearing capacity is obviously excessive—even a wall made of just two bricks can support the necessary load.

Raising the size of the masonry only results in wildly high projected building material costs; it has no positive effect on the building’s structural integrity. Secondly, adding more insulation to a building’s load-bearing brick walls is not a more efficient way to increase its thermal insulation than using insulation materials. SNiP standards state that thinner walls for supporting structures are not advised. As a result, a load-bearing wall made of only half bricks will not be able to give the building enough strength or longevity.

It is most common to use half-brick masonry (12 cm) for internal partitions. When considering the strength characteristics of the structure as well as the financial component, this is the best option available. Bricklaying (25 cm) and 6.5 cm—where the bricks are positioned on edge—are far less common.

These designs, however, have more drawbacks than benefits. For example, the first option doubles the cost of the piers, while the second option reduces the pier’s strength.

Calculation of bricks in masonry

A series of engineering calculations must be made before determining the thickness of the walls of the future building. To begin with, figure out how much brick will be required in total to build the load-bearing and partition structures. There are two reasons why this is necessary to do:

• Optimize estimated costs.
• Calculate the load on the supporting base.

First, determine the area of each wall, internal and external, and then deduct the area of the openings for windows and doors from the total. The next step is to figure out how many bricks there are in square meters of masonry with different thicknesses. This amount varies according to the kind of material. Three primary standard sizes are utilized in brick construction nowadays:

• Standard: 25 x 12 x 6.5 cm.
• One and a half: 25 x 12 x 8.8 cm.
• Double: 25 x 12 x 13.8 cm.

The prices of various brick types for masonry with varying thicknesses are displayed in the table.

In addition to figuring out how much material is needed for construction, you can use the above table to determine how much weight the building will place on the foundation. The lowest allowable value of the foundation foundation’s strength can be determined by using the SNiP summary tables and the building’s mass.

Any building’s stability and insulation depend heavily on the selection of wall thickness. It guarantees that your building can endure outside pressures while preserving a cozy interior atmosphere.

In general, thicker walls are more cost-effective and soundproof, but they also take up more room. However, thinner walls may not provide the same level of comfort and protection despite being less expensive and occupying less space.

When choosing the thickness of your walls, take your local building codes and your own needs into account. The ideal decision for your project depends on a number of factors, including the building’s purpose, budget, and climate.

In the end, figuring out how to strike a balance between price, utility, and performance will enable you to choose the ideal wall thickness for your building. Making an informed choice will increase your building’s long-term efficiency and durability.

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